James teevan and james f



Patented June 6, I899.

J. TEEVAN &. J. F. HDYNE.

LETTER BOX.

(Application filed Sept. 2, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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W/ T/VBSSES a. mm.

NTTED STATES JAMES TEEVAN AND JAMES F. I-IOYNE, OF DUBLIN, IRELAND.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,251,

dated June 6, 1899.

Application fil d September 2,1897. Serial No. 650,341- (No model.)

To roll whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JAMES TEEVAN and Lines FREDERICK I-lovNE, subjectsof the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing in Dublin, Ireland,have in vented certain Improvements in Letter-Boxes, (for which we haveobtained a patent in Great Britain, No. 18,158, hearing date August 21,1897;) and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexact description of theinvention, which will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to improvements in letter'boxes, and isdesigned for the purpose of preventing the surreptitious removal orextraction of the contents of same; also, to prevent the contents beinginjured by theintroduction of lighted matches, burning cigars orcigarettes, and such like.

The accompanying explanatory drawings will enable our said invention tobe more readily understood.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a lct-ter'box, one wall partlybroken away, showing our invention. Fig. 2 represents a plan view oftoothed ilap detached. Fig. 3 is a plan of bottom of chute detached.

A is a chute, composed of wood, metal, or other suitable material, whichis attached to the inside of the front plate B of the letterbox, so thatits upper open end coincides with the ordinary letter-slot. this chuteis hinged a rectangular flap C, so balanced that a gentle pressure fromabove (such as a letter descending) will cause it to open. The flap G ismaintained in a normally horizontal position by means of the sheetweightG, secured to the end of the pivot-rod H outside the chute. The flap andWeight are, of course, in rigid attachment to said rod. Once a letter orpaper or such like falls through this chute the flap permits same topass into the box andimmediately returns to its normal position, whileshould any attempt be made to surreptitiously extract the con: tents ofthe box the presence of the flap will effectually prevent theaccomplishment of such design. The free longitudinal edge of the flapmay be serrated or pointed to increase its efficiency for the purpose inView.

The bottom side D of the chute is provided with a number of slots, asshown in Fig. 3, of

At the free end of sufficient width to allow matches, burning cigars,cigarettes, and such like to pass through, but not too wide to interferewith the free passage of letters, periodicals, and such like over itssurface. Thus should a lighted match or burning cigar or cigarette bethrown into the letter-slot it passes harmlessly through these slots andis received in a receptacle E, fixed underneath the chute, wherebyinjury to the contents of the box is prevented.

From the above description it will be obvious that according to ourinvention the two objects in view are effected-namely, first, theprevention of the surreptitious removal of the contents of letter-boxes,and, second, the prevention of injury to the contents by lightedmatches, burning cigars, and such like. In order the more effectually tofulfil the first of these objects, we hinge on the lower edge of thechute a second rectangular flap F, provided with a row of teeth F,projecting parallel to the bottom of the chute, and a row of dependingteeth F almost at right angles to the first. This flap lies in itsnormal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and in this position it offers noimpediment to the descent of letters. Should, however, a rod beintroduced for the purpose of rendering the top flap O inoperative whilea string is being dropped into the box loaded with adhesive matter, anyattempt to draw up the contents in this way will instantly andautomatically be resisted by the action of the said flap F. The saidflap F is controlled in the same manner as flap 0 by means of thesheetweight G, secured to the pivot-rod H, the combined weight of F, F,and F serving to slightly overbalance said weight.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our saidinvention and in what manner the sameis to be performed, We would haveit understood that what we claim is- 1. The combination in a letter orstreet mail-box, a chute having a slotted bottom, a hinged flap 0, areceptacle located in the upper part of the box immediately below theslotted bottom, and a second flap F beyond the flap 0 and pivoted at theend of the chute A, to normally occupy a position to form an extensionof the slotted bottom, substantially as herein specified.

bottom D, receptacle E, below said bottom,

2. The cornbinationwith astreet letter or mail -box, of the chute A,having slotted flap 0 maintained in vertical position by gravity butpartly counterbalanced by Weight G, and a secondflap F having in linetherewith teeth F and a second series of teeth F at right anglestherewith, and Weight G partially balancing said last-mentioned flap,all substantially as herein specified.

- 3. In a letter or street mail-box, the combination of a chute, anintercepting vertical flap C partly balanced by Weight G, an in-

